Extension device for cemetery grave marker

ABSTRACT

An extension device supportable above a substantially flat grave marker to provide one or more vase receptacles spaced above the marker, the device having a substantially horizontal frame member with an attachment member releasably connecting the frame member to a pedestal rising from the grave marker; and one or more vase receptacles attached to the frame member and spaced laterally away from the attachment member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to accessories for cemetery grave markers,and more particularly to a device that is releasably attachable to asubstantially flat cemetery grave marker and provides one or morereceptacles for supporting flower display vases above the upwardlyfacing surface of such grave markers.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Substantially flat cemetery grave markers are well known and aremandated for use in some cemeteries to facilitate mowing and othermaintenance operations. Flat cemetery grave markers frequently contain areceptacle into which a vase can be inserted for the display of flowers.A device is needed, however, that can be easily installed and removed,and that will permit the display of more than one vase or floralarrangement and will also not interfere with mowing or other cemeterymaintenance operations.

[0005] Prior art references disclosing grave markers and/or relatedaccessories include, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 120,633; Des.368,675; 1,843,602; 2,099,329; 2,623,616; 2,639,878; 3,145,847;3,511,461; 4,640,045; 5,368,266; and 5,687,515.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention disclosed herein is an extension device adapted tosupport vases above a substantially flat cemetery grave marker. Theinvention preferably comprises a frame member, the frame member furthercomprising an attachment member, and at least one vase support elementthat can be made of metal or unitarily molded from any suitablepolymeric resin.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, an extension deviceis disclosed that is supportable above a substantially flat grave markerto provide one or more vase support elements, most preferably twolaterally disposed vase receptacles, spaced above the marker. The devicehas a substantially horizontal frame member with an attachment memberreleasably connecting the frame member to a pedestal rising from thegrave marker; and one or more vase receptacles attached to the framemember and spaced laterally apart from the attachment member.

[0008] The attachment member preferably comprises a cylindrical ring orcollar attachable to a pedestal that projects upwardly from the gravemarker. In most circumstances, the pedestal is a vase of generallycylindrical configuration that is inserted into an upwardly facing welldisposed in the top surface of the grave marker. According to onepreferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment member alsocomprises structural members 28 disposed inside the ring or collar thatrest on top of the pedestal. Securing means, such as screws threadedthrough the collar to function as set screws, releasably secure theattachment member to the upper portion of pedestal.

[0009] The portions of the frame member connecting the attachment memberto the two oppositely disposed vase receptacles is preferablysufficiently rigid to support the weight of vases and floralarrangements when they are inserted into the vase receptacles by theuser. The vase receptacles themselves are preferably cylindricallyshaped, and have at least one cross-member traversing the receptaclenear the bottom edge of the sidewall, or other similarly effectivemeans, for supporting a vase inserted into the receptacle above thesurface of the underlying grave marker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The apparatus of the invention is further described and explainedin relation to the following figures of the drawings wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of theextension device of the invention as installed above a substantiallyflat cemetery grave marker;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the subject extension device; and

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the extension device of FIGS.1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, extension device 10 preferably comprisessubstantially horizontal frame member 12 and laterally spaced vasesupport elements, more particularly, vase receptacles 25, 26, which aresupported by pedestal 16 above the upwardly facing surface of asubstantially flat grave marker 20 installed in surrounding earth 22.Vase receptacles 25, 26 preferably comprise sidewalls 40, 36 and bottomsupport members 42, 38, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, frame 12preferably further comprises a plurality of laterally extending, spacedapart rail members 24, each of which is connected at one end to anattachment member comprising attachment ring or collar member 30,cross-members disposed inside 28 and inner ring, or hub, 30. Voids 32are visible between rail members 24 and spokes 28, and inside innerring, or hub, 34. Securing members, preferably thumb-screws 14, aredesirably threaded through collar member 30 for use in securingextension device 10 to the top portion of pedestal 16.

[0015] The diameter of attachment ring 30 is desirably such thatattachment ring 30 will slip downwardly over the top of pedestal 16,with support members resting on or near the top of pedestal 16. As shownin FIGS. 2 and 3, the support members disposed inside attachment ring 30are spokes 28 connected at one end to attachment ring 30 and at theother end to centrally disposed hub 34. It will be appreciated, however,that the support members disposed inwardly of attachment ring 30 can beotherwise configured in any similarly effective manner such as, forexample, a continuous or discontinuous annular flange projectinginwardly from attachment ring 30, or as one or more transverse supportsextending as chords across at least a portion of attachment ring 30 andconnected thereto. Once attachment ring 30 is positioned over the top ofpedestal 16, and then lowered until the support member(s) insideattachment ring 30 are resting on the top of pedestal 16, securingmembers such as threaded screws 14 can be tightened sufficiently toengage the upper sidewall of pedestal 16. If desired, an annular lip orgroove can be provided at or near the top of pedestal 16 to facilitateengagement by the forwardly extending ends of threaded thumb-screws 14.It will be appreciated that the securing members such as screws 14should desirably penetrate attachment ring or collar 30 along a locus ofcircumferentially spaced points that are disposed below the level of thesupport members inside attachment ring or collar 30 so that they cancontact pedestal 16 while spokes 28 of frame member 12 are resting onthe pedestal.

[0016] It should also be understood that, while the preferred embodimentof the invention is shown and described herein in relation to anextension device 10 having two laterally spaced-apart vase receptacles25, 26, in some circumstances, extension device 10 can have only asingle vase receptacle that is cantilevered over grave marker 20 by theframe member from attachment ring 30. This might occur, for example,where a grave marker has a well for a vase or other pedestal that issituated at one end of the grave marker, rather than in the middle.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, pedestal 16 can be a substantiallycylindrical vase having a tapered base inserted into well 18 of gravemarker 20. It should be understood, however, that pedestals 16 havingother configurations or attached to grave marker 20 by other means canlikewise be used within the scope of the invention provided that framemember 12 is attachable to a pedestal 16 to support vase receptacles 25,26 above grave marker 20. If desired, the height of extension device 10relative to grave marker 20 can be adjusted by using a pedestal 16 ofdiffering length to support extension device 10. Although the length ofextension device 10 is most preferably substantially coextensive withthe length of grave marker 20, as shown in FIG. 1, it will also beappreciated more or less separation between vase receptacles 25, 26 canalso be achieved where desired by lengthening or shortening frame 12accordingly.

[0018] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, it will be appreciated that bottomsupport members 42, 38 of vase receptacles 25, 26, while shown in thepreferred embodiment as webs spanning voids 32 between sidewalls 40, 36,respectively, adjacent to the lower edges of the sidewalls, can alsohave a different structure within the scope of the invention. Thus, forexample, vase receptacles 25, 26 can comprise a structure as disclosedinside attachment ring 30, or an inwardly extending arcuate or annularflange adjacent the lower edge of sidewalls 40, 36, provided that thesupport members inside the receptacles are sufficiently strong anddurable to support a vase or other container and a floral arrangement.Similarly, the sidewalls 40, 36 are not required to be solid andcontinuous, provided that they are strong enough to anchor bottomsupport members 42, 38, and strong enough to remain firmly attached tobar or rail members 24 of frame member 12 when, for example, receptacles25, 26 are subjected to weather conditions as might be experiencedduring outside use.

[0019] Frame member 12 and vase support receptacles 25, 26 as shown inFIGS. 1-3 can be made of metal or of a moldable polymeric resin that isdurable enough to withstand the loads and weather conditions expectedduring use. Such well known and commercially available materials shouldbe adequate for resisting exposure to moisture, wind and sun as might beexpected over a prolonged period. Securing members 14 are desirably madeof metal and coated to resist corrosion, particularly where frame member12, including attachment ring 30, is made of a dissimilar metal. Whethermade of metal or a polymeric material, attachment ring or collar 30should be provided with aperture of sufficient diameter and structure sothat securing members such as threaded thumbscrews can be threadedthrough the ring or collar and into engagement with pedestal 16.

[0020] Other alterations and modifications of the invention willlikewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art uponreading the present disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of theinvention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadestinterpretation of the appended claims to which the inventor is legallyentitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. An extension device attachable to a pedestal elevated above an underlying, substantially flat cemetery grave marker, the device comprising: a substantially horizontal frame member comprising at least one attachment member releasably connecting the frame member to the pedestal; and at least one vase support element connected to the frame member, the vase support element being disposed above the underlying grave marker and in spaced apart relation to the at least one attachment member.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the pedestal is a vase supported by the grave marker.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the grave marker has a length and a width, and the device has a length substantially coextensive with the length of the grave marker.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment member comprises an attachment ring defining an interior space with a diameter larger the pedestal, and at least one adjustable securing member connected to the attachment ring to secure the extension device to the pedestal.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the attachment ring further comprises at least one cross-member extending transversely across the interior space of the attachment ring above the adjustable securing member.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein the attachment ring comprises a set of cross-members further comprising a smaller interior ring connected by a plurality of spokes to the attachment ring.
 7. The device of claim 4 wherein the at least one adjustable securing member comprises a plurality of screws threaded through the attachment ring.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one vase support element further comprises a substantially cylindrical holder having an upwardly facing opening, a sidewall, a bottom and a bottom support member connected to the sidewall.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the bottom support member comprises a bottom support bar spanning the bottom of the substantially cylindrical holder.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the extension device comprises two vase support elements connected to the frame member, the two vase support elements being oppositely disposed relative to the attachment member.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the frame member is a plurality of bars connecting the at least one vase support element to the attachment member.
 12. The device of claim 4 wherein the frame member, the attachment ring, and the at least one vase support element are unitarily formed from substantially rigid, molded plastic.
 13. The device of claim 4 wherein the frame member, the attachment ring and the at least one vase support element are made of metal.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein the pedestal has a top portion with a perimeter, and the attachment member comprises an attachment ring having a perimeter slightly larger than and encompassing the perimeter of the top portion of the pedestal.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the attachment ring comprises an interior and support members spanning at least a portion of the interior above the top portion of the pedestal.
 16. The device of claim 14 wherein the attachment member further comprises at least one securing member attachable to the pedestal.
 17. The device of claim 15 wherein the attachment member comprises an interior ring connected by a plurality of spokes to the attachment ring, the interior ring and spokes being disposed above the top portion of the pedestal.
 18. The device of claim 16 comprising a plurality of screws threaded through the attachment ring.
 19. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one vase support element comprises a substantially cylindrical receptacle.
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein the receptacle has a substantially cylindrical sidewall with top and bottom edges, and a bottom support member connected to the sidewall adjacent the bottom edge.
 21. An extension device supportable above a substantially flat grave marker to provide at least one vase receptacle spaced above the marker, the device comprising a substantially horizontal frame member with an attachment member releasably connecting the frame member to a pedestal rising from the grave marker; the at least one vase receptacle attached to the frame member and spaced laterally away from the attachment member.
 22. The extension device of claim 21 wherein the frame member comprises a plurality of substantially parallel bar members extending outwardly from the attachment member to the at least one vase receptacle.
 23. The extension device of claim 21 comprising two vase receptacles oppositely disposed in relation to the attachment member.
 24. The extension device of claim 21 wherein the attachment member comprises an attachment ring and at least one screw threaded through the attachment ring and contacting the pedestal.
 25. The extension device of claim 21 wherein the attachment member comprises a support member resting on the pedestal. 